740.00119 EW/11–1545: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16—5:10 p.m.]
6601. From Angell, No. 56. Following agenda adopted in meeting of Conference delegates on Nov 13 and released to the press:
- I.
- Allocations of reparations (a) shares (1) relative importance of data (2) comparability of data (b) Inter-Allied Reparations Agency (IARA).
- II.
- Assets available for reparation (1) capital industrial equipment (2) merchant ships (3) foreign assets (4) current production and stock.
- III.
- Assets not available for reparation (1) restitution including gold (2) war booty.
In first discussion of agenda Nov 10, Czechoslovakian, Yugoslavian, Belgian and Dutch Delegations all insisted that Conference first consider restitution, that restitution must take precedence over work on distribution of shares of IARA. Arguments advanced that (1) if restitution is not satisfactorily handled share in reparation for some countries might be less than value of looted property not recovered; (2) that reparation for one United Nation might be in property actually owned by another United Nation. In this connection Belgian delegate mentioned plants in Germany wholly owned by Belgian nationals which might be subject to removal. Delegates of all four nations stated that no progress had been made on the restitution problem although much easily identifiable property was known to be available and, furthermore, that the occupying powers had not allowed experts to enter Germany for inspection and identification of property. Belgian delegate also mentioned that the unsatisfactory situation on restitution has repeatedly been brought to attention of US, UK, and France and that no positive action had as yet been taken.
Delegates of these countries were finally convinced that determination of shares of reparation and plans for the establishment of IARA were the most urgent problems and concurred in placing them in first place on the agenda. It was agreed that the agenda adopted could be varied at the suggestion of the Conference President [Page 1388] and that items not on the present agenda could be added later. [Angell.]